Colorado Open Lands is thrilled to once again partner with Southern Plains Land Trust (SPLT) to add additional protections on the shortgrass prairie of southeast Colorado! SPLT’s mission is to preserve these lands for the native species – both plant and animal – that thrive on them. The new Fresh Tracks easement combines several parcels owned by SPLT and others into one 2,559 acre addition to their wildlife preserve holdings. It also represents COL’s first easement in Baca County, bringing our total of counties served to 50 out of 64!
Fresh Tracks is home to species great and small, including mountain lion, mule deer, pronghorn, Colorado Species of Special Concern ferruginous hawk and swift fox, and Colorado Threatened Species burrowing owl, as well as the rare Colorado green gentian plant.